Doctors & Medical Errors

The IOM - Institutes of Medicine report on the quality of care entitled "To Err is Human" states that errors cause between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths every year in American hospitals.

A medical error happens when a doctor or other health care professional fails to properly treat a patient and this improper treatment causes the patient to suffer a new injury. A new injury is a requirement because you can't hold a doctor or other healthcare professional responsible for the original medical problem.

The incidents of medical errors means that each day between 121-268 people die as a result of errors. This equals and exceeds the number killed in traffic accidents per year (43,450) or those who die yearly from breast cancer (42,300). In addition to this, medical errors can cause birth trauma, brain injury, paralysis, amputation, disability and disfigurement.

Most injured victims or surviving family members never know that a medical error caused their injury or death. Only 1 out of 8 instances of medical error resulted in a claim being filed.

Some examples of medical mistakes are:

• Failure to protect a patient from a fall or other injury on hospital property.
• Failure to administer medications properly.
• Failure to manage a pregnancy or deliver a baby in a safe manner.
• Failure to properly treat a patient's medical condition.
• Misdiagnosis of a medical condition.

UPDATED INFORMATION

Since the reporting by the IOM (Institutes of Medicine), a more recent study has been conducted by HealthGrades, a health-care-rating group. According to the study and posted to HealthGrades web site "An average of 195,000 people in the United States died due to potentially preventable, in-hospital medical errors in each of years 2000, 2001 and 2002, according to a study of 35 million patient records..."

"The HealthGrades Patient Safety in American Hospitals study is the first to look at the mortality and economic impact of medical errors and injuries that occurred during Medicare hospital admissions nationwide from 2000 to 2002."

"The HealthGrades study finds nearly double the number of deaths from medical errors found by the 1999 IOM report "To Err is Human," with an associated cost of more than $6 billion per year."

"The HealthGrades study shows that the IOM report may have underestimated the number of deaths due to medical errors, and, moreover, that there is little evidence that patient safety has improved in the last five years," said Dr. Samantha Collier, HealthGardes' vice president of medical affairs. "The equivalent of 390 jumbo jets full of people are dying each year due to likely preventable, in-hospital medical errors, making this one of the leading killers in the U.S."

Only an experienced lawyer who knows Pennsylvania's intricate medical malpractice laws, the court system and individual rights can effectively prove your physical and/or mental injury under state laws. Munley, Munley & Cartwright's medical malpractice lawyers will evaluate your case thoroughly and explore all potential sources of recovery. We will help you decide your best course of action and we will develop the best legal strategy for demonstrating your claim. Most cases are brought before an arbitration panel prior to court. It is always advisable to be represented by an attorney during arbitration.

We have offices conveniently located in Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Hamlin, Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, PA. We have the benefit of the local presence within and knowledge of the local legal communities where medical malpractice matters are litigated. Our firm has built a reputation over 40 years in the courts within within Lackawana, Monroe, Schuylkill, Wayne, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients.

If you or a loved one have been harmed by doctor error, misdiagnosis, or other form of medical negligence, you may have a medical malpractice claim. You could be eligible to receive compensation for the damages caused to your family. 'The Family of Lawyers' at Munley, Munley & Cartwright are experienced, and successful, medical malpractice litigators - we fight to protect the rights of patients.

Contact us now for a free claim evaluation. 1-800-318-LAW1

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

• What is medical malpractice?
• How can I find out if I have a case?
• Who can be sued under medical malpractice laws?
• What does "established customary standard of care" mean?
• My doctor made a mistake and admitted it. Do I have a malpractice case?
• What kind of mistakes can result in medical malpractice?
• How do I gather evidence for this type of medical malpractice case?
• What is a birth injury?
• What are the most common types of birth injury?
• What is cerebral palsy?
• What are the side effects of cerebral palsy?